Act Cool

by Tobly McSmith

Overview

*Named a Rainbow Book List Title and one of Bank Street Children's Best Books of the Year*

A trans teen walks the fine line between doing whatever it takes for his acting dream and staying true to himself in this moving, thought-provoking YA novel from the acclaimed author of Stay Gold.

Aspiring actor August Greene just landed a coveted spot at the prestigious School of Performing Arts in New York. There’s only one problem: His conservative parents won’t accept that he’s transgender. And to stay with his aunt in the city, August must promise them he won’t transition.

August is convinced he can play the part his parents want while acting cool and confident in the company of his talented new friends.

But who is August when the lights go down? And where will he turn when the roles start hitting a little too close to home?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063038561
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/07/2021
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	966,149
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Tobly McSmith is the co-creator/writer of seven somewhat successful musical parodies, including Friends! The Musical Parody. Tobly was born in Texas. He now lives in New York City with his two cats, Buster and Bananas McSmith. Tobly is proud to be transgender.

Editorial Reviews

08/30/2021

When transgender, implied-white actor August Greene, 16, who is struggling with suicidal ideation, learns that his evangelical Christian parents are considering sending him to conversion therapy, he flees his conservative hometown of West Grove, Pa., for New York City to live with his gay aunt Lil and audition for the rigorous, prestigious School of Performing Arts. Once he is accepted, his parents allow him to stay on one condition: that he not “change into a boy.” August agrees, but continues to present as male without his parents’ knowledge, forming meaningful friendships with an inclusive—if sometimes under-rendered—cast, and landing a coveted female role in SPA’s fall musical. He also begins to realize that he’s been using acting to avoid dealing with his trauma. Unfortunately, August’s motivations are often muddled, and clumsy prose, particularly dialogue, keep this sophomore effort from reaching its full potential. Still, McSmith’s (Stay Gold) approach to gender and dysphoria is compassionate, and the musical’s cast dynamics are well sketched; theater fans especially will find the discussion of representation on the stage compelling. Ages 14–up. Agent: Tina Dubois, ICM Partners. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"One of the most powerful YA books of the year." — Popsugar

"The story will help readers understand how multifaceted and complicated the transgender experience can be. A well-paced, unique story.  — School Library Journal

"McSmith’s approach to gender and dysphoria is compassionate, and the musical’s cast dynamics are well sketched; theater fans especially will find the discussion of representation on the stage compelling." — Publishers Weekly

"McSmith writes with authority, insight, and empathy. [A] necessary book." — Booklist (starred review)

From the Publisher

"One of the most powerful YA books of the year."

Popsugar

"McSmith writes with authority, insight, and empathy. [A] necessary book."

Booklist (starred review)

09/01/2021

Gr 9 Up—August Greene comes to terms with his gender transition in a dramatic way: he leaves home without telling his ultra-religious parents and stays with his aunt in New York City. She helps him land a spot at the most exclusive performing arts high school in town. He's presenting as male for the first time, learning a new city, jumping into high-pressure drama classes, and finding new friends, all at once. August is constantly trying out new roles and working to fit into his new life and identity, convinced that if he tries hard enough, his parents will change their minds and accept him as a boy. The story presents all of August's conflicting thoughts, which will help some readers understand how multifaceted and complicated the transgender experience can be. Suicide is discussed, as is conversion therapy, deadnaming, and other potentially triggering scenarios. The plot is also very theater-focused, so it might not appeal to those without a drama background. Some faults lie in shallow development of characters, scattered focus, and an abrupt and somewhat trite ending, but overall, this is a well-paced, unique story. VERDICT A solid purchase for a school or public library.—Christine Case, Hillcrest H.S., Country Club Hills, IL

School Library Journal

2021-06-24
A trans teen stars in the show of his life.

August runs from his religious family home in Pennsylvania into the loving arms of his lesbian aunt and the high-pressure environment of the School for Performing Arts in New York City. Determined to succeed as a trans actor who can play any role, he lands the part of Rizzo, who is a girl, in the school production of Grease and parties with his famous and wealthy new classmates (including a trans girl whose characterization is not well fleshed-out and who seems to exist mostly to process his trans angst). The stakes are extremely high: August wants to play Rizzo not just because he believes that he should be allowed to play any gender regardless of his identity, but because his parents will send him to conversion therapy if they think he’s transitioned. In a third act that feels tacked-on, August, who is cued as White, considers an acting opportunity that closely mirrors his real life. The novel raises many valuable questions around authenticity and representation in theater and in life but never quite arrives at satisfying answers. Maddeningly repetitive prose (especially in dialogue tags, where characters sing and joke ad nauseam), unnaturally rendered exposition, and an overburdened plot mar the reading experience, which would otherwise be a fresh take on familiar themes.

An off-off-off–Broadway play of a book. (content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews